Asm. Bob Auth

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A4609) requires school boards to adopt policies preventing obscene material in school libraries. The policy must prohibit obscene content (defined by existing state obscenity law), set library material standards, mandate employee compliance with laws against distributing obscene material to minors, and create procedures for investigating staff violations. The state education commissioner will provide schools with guidance on identifying prohibited material and recommended disciplinary actions, including termination for violations. Noncompliant school districts risk state funding sanctions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4012) establishes a minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries with brain injuries. It requires that these services be reimbursed at the average rate currently paid for Day Habilitation Services Tiers D and E under the Division of Developmental Disabilities program - approximately $9.38 per 15 minutes, compared to the current $3.65 rate for brain injury day programs. The policy directly affects licensed brain injury service providers and Medicaid beneficiaries requiring brain injury treatment. The change applies to services provided on or after the bill's effective date, aligning brain injury service reimbursement with rates for comparable developmental disability services.

Maddy summaryThis bill would ban most abortions after 20 weeks following fertilization, with exceptions when the pregnancy threatens the woman's life, results from rape (requiring prior reporting to law enforcement), or results from rape or incest involving a minor (also requiring prior reporting). Physicians must determine the probable post-fertilization age before performing an abortion and document the specific exception being used. The bill requires specific informed consent forms, prohibits performing abortions in violation of these rules (which would be a third-degree crime), and mandates appropriate medical care if a child is born alive following an abortion under an exception.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A4474) requires Pretrial Services to recommend pretrial detention for certain repeat offenders. It mandates this recommendation when a defendant has two or more prior arrests with pending charges, and their current charge is a serious criminal offense or domestic violence involving a minor. The bill specifies that Pretrial Services must advise against release if the defendant faces a new charge for a crime that carries a mandatory prison term or involves domestic violence against a minor. This change directly affects defendants meeting these criteria during pretrial hearings, making the "no release" recommendation a strong factor for courts to consider.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3532) creates a New Jersey gross income tax credit for active, unpaid members of volunteer fire departments, ambulance squads, or rescue organizations. It allows eligible members to claim a credit based on miles driven using their personal vehicle during emergency duty, calculated at the IRS business mileage rate, capped at $500 per individual or $1,000 for joint filers. To qualify, members must meet specific service requirements (e.g., 60% attendance at calls/meetings for non-duty-hour volunteers, or 400+ duty hours for those with duty-hour responsibilities) and be in good standing with their organization. The credit is refundable, meaning it can be paid even if the member owes no income tax, and organizations must certify qualifying members annually to the tax division.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens campaign finance transparency in New Jersey by requiring independent expenditure committees (groups that spend money on elections without direct candidate support) to report large contributions and expenditures more frequently, especially in the days before elections. It mandates that these committees report contributions over $7,500 within 24-72 hours before elections and file quarterly reports after elections until their campaign accounts close. The bill also extends the statute of limitations for investigating campaign finance violations from two to four years after an election. Additionally, it exempts all campaign finance reports filed with the Election Law Enforcement Commission from standard redaction requirements that apply to other public records, making these reports more accessible to the public.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local governments to notify their governing bodies when a sex offender who committed a crime against a minor (under 18) registers to live in the municipality. It prohibits such offenders from residing within 500 feet of schools, child care centers, or playgrounds, with exceptions for those already living there, in correctional facilities, or granted specific exemptions by a court or parole board. The bill applies only to sex offenders convicted of offenses against minors, not all registered sex offenders. Its goal is to enhance public safety by reducing proximity between these offenders and children gathering in designated areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a certification process for non-physicians (such as licensed estheticians or technicians) to legally perform laser tattoo removal in New Jersey. It requires the State Board of Medical Examiners to establish specific standards, including qualification criteria, testing procedures, and continuing education requirements. Non-certified individuals would be prohibited from offering these services, and certification would need renewal every two years. The bill directly affects non-physician practitioners seeking to provide tattoo removal services and aims to standardize safety and training under state oversight.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A4407) increases daily pay for election workers from $300 to $400 per election (primary, general, or special). It also raises additional compensation for workers managing signature copy registers: from $12.50 to $20 for one worker, or $6.25 to $10 each for two workers sharing the duty. The state will increase its reimbursement to counties from $225 to $325 per election worker, meaning counties still cover $75 of the $400 daily rate. The bill directly affects election workers and county governments across all New Jersey counties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires new affordable housing developments (called "inclusionary developments") with 10 or more units or four or more stories to meet LEED Silver or equivalent green building standards. Developers must also submit impact studies on traffic, schools, stormwater, and carbon emissions (if clearing over one acre) to local municipalities before construction begins. The law applies to new projects only, exempting those with applications submitted before the law takes effect. It directs the Department of Community Affairs to create implementing rules within eight months of enactment.